Magheraveely Marl Loughs

Magheraveely Marl Loughs consists of a cluster of six low-lying lakes in the catchment of the River Finn in Northern Ireland. These four loughs are small inter-drumlin marl lakes fed by lime-rich water. The lakes are surrounded by an inundation zone containing significant stands of alkaline fen vegetation. In comparison with other lakes in this part of Northern Ireland, this site is important because the water has not been influenced by nutrient enrichment and remains clear, with a high lime content and low plant nutrient content. Stoneworts are the dominant submerged vegetation and include several rare and local species, including Chara aspera, C. curta, C. hispida and C. pedunculata.